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Highland Park commends two lifesavers
Updated: February 4, 2013 6:00PM
HIGHLAND PARK
A Highland Park physician and two park district instructors are being credited with saving the life of a 50-year-old man who went into cardiac arrest while exercising at the Recreation Center of Highland Park the evening of Dec. 19.
Dr. Shayle Patzik, an interventional radiologist at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, was setting up his bicycle for a spinning class when he heard screams of reaction after a man collapsed on the walking track. He and his instructor, Amy Hohman, found the man down, unconsciousness and without a pulse. Patzik started CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) and called for an AED, or automated external debifrillator. Another instructor, Chris Citron, retrieved the AED and applied the patches.
“The device shocked the man, althoug still no pulse,” said Patzik, who continued the CPR for about two more minutes until a pulse was detected. A police officer arrived, followed by paramedics. “The man started coming around, very groggy.” He was taken to Highland Park Hospital, a short distance away. The victim is reportedly doing well, and is grateful for the competent and quick response of the three people who helped to revive him.
“It was very nice teamwork between the three of us,” said Patzik,
The park district honored Patzik Jan. 22 “for an extraordinary display of courage, confidence, compassion and an inspirational display of character that contributed to the saving of a life.”
Citron and Hohman were credited for their quick action in an emergency situation that “beyond training, required strength of character, courage and compassion — the combination of which resulted in saving a life.”
